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Car trouble--Help! Found the problem

C

cornbread

Senior member
I finally took it to have it checked out, and was told that it's either the transaxle or the motor mount, or both, and recommended I take it to a transmission shop.. With 170k miles, I guess its time to get another car.. What fun.. Thanks you guys for the help
--here is after i checked it out---
I got under it today and managed to find that the boot on the steering (i'm assuming the rack and pinion) popped loose. I had my dad turn the wheel back and forth while it was in gear and watched it pop loose, and heard the slight popping in that direction.
It wasn't the cv boot, I'm not saying that's not another problem with it though, it was the boot thats attached to the steering system..
Any ideas on how much this is gonna cost me? I know it's going to take an alignment afterwards, but I'm clueless as to what all is going to be involved in this.. It is sounding pretty bad, I wasn't thinking it was something in the steering, mainly because now it does it while going straight as well. It is worse on curves though...
-------
Original story------->
93 Cutlass Ciera
Front Wheel Drive...

About a week ago, I was riding along the freeway, and it started getting a hard vibration when curving to the left, could be felt in the wheel, felt as if it was on the right front side - Almost as if something was loose, and it would only happen when I was curving to the left.

Now, it is vibrating hard and making a loud noise as if something is rubbing, it vibrates hardest when I'm on a curve, doesn't matter if its right or left, and happens at any speed. When slowing down I do hear some clicking as well.

I looked at the cv boots, and I don't see any cuts or dryrot, but I do believe they are original. I can't see anything that appears to be loose or where metal might have been rubbing metal, so I'm guessing the boots or maybe the axle? Occasionally it will make a pop that can be felt in the steering wheel when making a turn. It feels as if something is loose in there though.
The brake pads are starting to get a little low, but not that low.

There is no pulling to the left or right, the tires have recently been balanced, this vibration is happening at speeds as low as 35,
at points it sounds as if there is metal on metal.

You car experts have any hints?

Thanks in advance!
 
steering box, maybe? i had a bad steering box once and the steering would actually slip when turning left .... scary.


also check out wheel bearings.
 
Originally posted by: JDub02
steering box, maybe? i had a bad steering box once and the steering would actually slip when turning left .... scary.


also check out wheel bearings.
Click to expand...

Cutlass is rack and pinion steering, IIRC.
 
Originally posted by: JDub02
steering box, maybe? i had a bad steering box once and the steering would actually slip when turning left .... scary.


also check out wheel bearings.
Click to expand...

I was wondering if it might've been something with the steering until now it does it when going straight as well..
Would the wheel bearings cause something like that, very rough?
 
Many possibilities ;

Worn/damaged wheel bearings.

Worn damaged outer CV joint.

Worn/damaged caliper bushings.

Plastic inner fender loose/rubbing the tire.

Does the vehicle have ABS ? <----- Loose/damaged reluctor ring and/or loose/damaged ABS pick up sensor.

For sh!ts and grins, rotate the front tires to the back and take a test drive.
 
Having worked on a few of these A-body cars, my first hunch would be an inner tie rod failure. Jack the front of the car up so both wheels are off the ground. Then grab each wheel at a 3 & 6 o'clock position. Try and move the wheel back and forth, there should be only a smooth resistance felt, any wiggling or jerky motion would indicate a worn tie rod end.

Please post your results.
 
Originally posted by: Roger
Many possibilities ;

Worn/damaged wheel bearings.

Worn damaged outer CV joint.

Worn/damaged caliper bushings.

Plastic inner fender loose/rubbing the tire.

Does the vehicle have ABS ? <----- Loose/damaged reluctor ring and/or loose/damaged ABS pick up sensor.

For sh!ts and grins, rotate the front tires to the back and take a test drive.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help, I guess its off to get a new CV joint and try that first..Ugh..
I guess I should go ahead and take care of the wheel bearing while I'm at it.

It doesn't have ABS..

I'll try to get it up on a lift and see if I can find anything.

Thanks for your help!

 
Originally posted by: Quixfire
Having worked on a few of these A-body cars, my first hunch would be an inner tie rod failure. Jack the front of the car up so both wheels are off the ground. Then grab each wheel at a 3 & 6 o'clock position. Try and move the wheel back and forth, there should be only a smooth resistance felt, any wiggling or jerky motion would indicate a worn tie rod end.

Please post your results.
Click to expand...


Will do this afternoon/tomorrow.

Thanks for the help!!


You guys are quick

 
Do not go out and start buying parts until the problem is properly diagnosed, It may be a tie rod end like Quixfire has stated.
You can do your own cursory inspection by jacking up the front of the vehicle, placing jack stands under the front and being very careful, crawl under the vehicle and grab the tie rod....axle shaft....lower control arm...one at a time and see if you can find any play/looseness in them.

An alternative is to put the car in gear while running and listen for the noise, this can be dangerous and life threatening if you are not extremely careful.
 
Originally posted by: Roger
Do not go out and start buying parts until the problem is properly diagnosed, It may be a tie rod end like Quixfire has stated.
You can do your own cursory inspection by jacking up the front of the vehicle, placing jack stands under the front and being very careful, crawl under the vehicle and grab the tie rod....axle shaft....lower control arm...one at a time and see if you can find any play/looseness in them.

An alternative is to put the car in gear while running and listen for the noise, this can be dangerous and life threatening if you are not extremely careful.
Click to expand...

Alright, I'll try to get it on a lift before I get anything and see if I can find anything.. I've done light maint on it (brakes, tuneups, etc), but haven't messed much with the front end. If I can't find anything, I guess I'll shell out the bucks to have someone figure it out.

Thanks for your quick help!

 
I got under it today and managed to find that the boot on the steering (i'm assuming the rack and pinion) popped loose. I had my dad turn the wheel back and forth while it was in gear and watched it pop loose, and heard the slight popping in that direction.
It wasn't the cv boot, I'm not saying that's not another problem with it though, it was the boot thats attached to the steering system..
Any ideas on how much this is gonna cost me? I know it's going to take an alignment afterwards, but I'm clueless as to what all is going to be involved in this.. It is sounding pretty bad, I wasn't thinking it was something in the steering, mainly because now it does it while going straight as well. It is worse on curves though...
 
The boot you are referring to is the steering bellow boot. It covers the rack and inner tie rod assembly to protect it from road debris, water, and different solvents. Did you notice a fluid leaking at the rack? Did you grab the tie rod and wiggle it to see if it was loose?
 
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